Welcome to Week 5 of Q3…we are officially half way through the quarter!!

OTA Announcements:

Intent to Re-Enroll

Today,March 4th, 2019, all forms are available for you to re-enroll at Old Town Academy. This is only for returning students, and if you have a sibling that you would like to enroll, please submit a new application. The deadline to complete and submit re-enroll forms will be Friday, March 15th, 2018. Below are the instructions:

Please access the SchoolMint website with the URL link oldtownacademy.schoolmint.net . All registered OTA families should have an account with your chosen primary email address, so go ahead and login. If you have forgotten your user information, please follow the prompts for “Forgot Username” or “Forgot Password”. From your “Student Dashboard” select “Re-Enroll” and Complete Forms.

We look forward to having your child/children for another great year at Old Town Academy! Should you have any questions or issues, please contact our office at (619) 574-6225

Q3 Book Talks

We signed up for our Book Talks today! Every student will be presenting a Book Talk about a RECENT book they have read. (This book should be a book they have read in Q2 or Q3)

Students will receive the paper direction page and the graphic organizer tomorrow. Please see the calendar for the date your child is presenting on!

Focus area for this quarter: CREATIVITY!! I can’t wait to see your imagination and creativity come to life in your book talks!

This Week in 5th Grade:

Totem Pole and Writing – We have been learning about the tribes of the Pacific Northwest and how important totem poles were to their culture. These were passed down from generation to generation and often times placed in front of their house. We are creating our own totem poles and discussing what symbolizes our family. Stay tuned for pictures!

We’ve been doing some fun projects in History! A couple weeks ago we pretended to be Lewis and Clark and collect items from their journey through the Louisiana Purchase. The students had a ton of fun creating their lists and items.

Last week we learned how transportation changed during the Westward Expansion. We learned about turnpikes, covered wagons, steamboats, canals, and the railroad. Students worked hard on creating newspapers that educated the readers on the improvements and how it impacted the life of pioneers moving west. Here are just a couple examples to see but ask your child to find theirs on Google Classroom to show you!

This week we are focusing on understanding the term Manifest Destiny. We have listened to a song, analyzed a picture, and tomorrow will look at a famous quote to come to an understanding.

Students will begin thinking about their journey westward and look ahead to what is to come this quarter.

Geography

Students should be done with at least 3 pages of their State Expert Report packets.

I hope your child had a blast on the Star of India last week! They did AMAZING and represented OTA well. They worked hard and hopefully learned a lot. Hopefully you saw my email last night that included the Google Folder of the pictures. Here is the LINK if you didn’t receive the email.

Thank you all 5th grade families that volunteered and helped out at the dance this past weekend. It was a huge success! You guys are the best! Special shout out to Erin Parente for making this all happen!

Quarter 3 Snapshot

Math-

We will continue learning about so many important concepts in math this quarter. Along we our daily lessons and IXL, we will be working on writing out our steps and explaining WHY we are doing each step.

Topic 8 Multiplying Fractions

Topic 9 Dividing Fractions

Topic 10 Volume of 3D shapes

Topic 11 Converting Units of Measurement

ELA-

This quarter we are beginning with a unit surrounding Native Americans. We are learning about how different regions of the United States and how the tribes adapted to the different climate, land, resources, etc. We will also be talking about how the European settlers moving onto their land, impacted their life.

History

This quarter we will be focusing on the Westward Expansion!! I am so excited for this quarter and the discussions we will have about Daniel Boone, The Louisiana Purchase, the development of transportation, the Gold Rush, Manifest Destiny, and our expanding nation. Stay tuned for an exciting project.

Geography

We will continue our State Expert Reports- this quarter focusing on the Southeast region. Students have chosen a state to research for the quarter and will complete many different tasks about climate, land resources, manufacturing, famous landmarks, etc.

OTA Announcements:

No School this Friday, 2/15 and Monday, 2/18

We did not send home Winter MAP scores this quarter. If you would like to have a copy of your child’s scores, please email me and I will send home a copy!

This Thursday, February 14th- Love and Friendship celebration!

If you would like to participate in giving cards/treats to your classmates, please make sure you bring one for everyone. See our class list below!

Please read the important information below about the Star of India field trip that is TOMORROW!! We are excited.

Star of India

Parents- I emailed you separately from the blog on January 28th regarding a letter I need of you BEFORE the Star of India. Please make sure you have received and read that email. If you did not receive this email please let me know ASAP. As of right now, I have only received 4 letters. It is important everyone has one!

It looks like the rain is leaving and the forecast says it will be sunny tomorrow! No rain gear needed for the trip, but LAYERED clothing is recommended. Scroll down on the blog for the packing list. Please follow all instructions and make sure your children are only bringing items on the packing list. No cell phones, watches, food, or any extra activities.

If you need to get ahold of your child during the field trip you can call the school or email me. I will have my phone on me at all times.

Schedule for Star of India:

Wednesday, February 6th8:00am– Arrive at OTA like normal8:00-12:00– Students have a normal school day12:00pm- Pick your child up at OTA. Use this time to get your child’s things, students should change into their layered clothing, and eat a BIG lunch. 2:15pm– Arrive at the Star of India. (1492 North Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101) We will stand on the sidewalk outside of the Star of India. You can park in the parking lot (it’s metered parking) Please look for me! Do not be late! Parents- you can either drop your child off or wait with the class until we board the ship! We will board the ship between 2:30-3:00.

Thursday, February 7th9:00am– Pick up your child at the Star of India (in the same location you dropped them off) and take your child home. Please be on time! There will be no school at OTA for 5th grade on 2/7/19

Welcome to the last week of quarter 2! We are finishing strong by finishing our PBL and wrapping up Topic 7 in math.

OTA Announcements:

This Week is the Great Kindness Challenge. Students are encouraged to complete simple acts of kindness every day! The checklist went home on Friday. Let’s transform our school, community, and world by choosing to be KIND!

This Friday- LAST DAY OF QUARTER- 12 pm dismissal and PAJAMA Day!

PBL- Board of Exploration Presentation- WHO WILL BE NAMED LEADER OF THE SEAS?

Our students have been working hard in their groups creating a board proposal and presentation. Our students have become the leadership team for Portugal, Spain, and England and will be presenting to a panel of prestigious members on Thursday, January 31st at 1:15. Come watch your child present. Presentations will take place in the 5th grade classroom.

Star of India

Our field trip is next week! All permission slips and money are due this FRIDAY. Take a look at the packing list below. Make sure your child follows the rules and only brings what is required of them. Absolutely no electronics, food, or anything extra. The kids really won’t have time for any other activities then what the program plans for. 🙂

As of right now, rain is NOT in the forecast for next Wednesday-Thursday (thank goodness!!) This means that students do not need to pack rain gear/boots! It is projected to be in the 60s during the day and low 50s at night. Students will be outside for a big portion of this field trip and should be dressed appropriately. Layered clothing is key! I normally have on a sweatshirt, a jacket, and a beanie in the evening and morning. We want everyone to enjoy the trip and not be cold the whole time. 🙂

This Week in 5th grade

Math

Topic 7 Review (Monday and Tuesday)

Topic 7 Test on Wednesday!! (Students can study by completing practice problems online or from their book!!)

8-1

8-2

IXL Due Friday

ELA

We will be writing our donation letters for the gala tomorrow!

Vocabulary Week 9 and 10 activities due Friday

Vocabulary Tets on Friday!

Grammar Focus – Plural Nouns

ELA IXL BB.3 and BB.4

Native American Unit is on hold while we finish our PBL.

History

Board Proposal and Presentation

Geography Expert Reports DUE Friday. We have been working on this packet ALL Quarter!!!

Geography presentations on Friday! 🙂 I’m excited to learn all about the Midwestern States!

OTA Announcements:

Next Friday, February 1st is the last day of Q2. Your child and I looked at the grade book last week. It is important to check these throughout the quarter. Have you and your child checked their grades recently?

Next Friday, Feb. 1st is a HALF DAY (12 pm dismissal) and Spirit Day- PAJAMA Day!

Star of India

All permission slips and information went home last week. Please get these in as soon as possible. I still have room for more chaperones, if you would like to chaperone please let me know ASAP. If you would like to chaperone, I need to know by next Friday at the latest.

The Star of India is on Wednesday, Feb 6th- Thursday Feb. 7th. As stated on the informational page: pick your child up from OTA at 12pm on Wednesday the 6th, get lunch, change, and grab your child’s bag, arrive at the Star of India at 2:15. Then on Thursday, Feb. 7th, pick your child up at 9am at the Star of India. There will be no school at OTA for 5th graders on Thursday.

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know!

This Week in 5th Grade

Math

7-9

7-10

7-11

IXL due next Friday

ELA

Grammar Focus: reviewing nouns and learning about Plural Nouns

Starting a new unit on Native Americans!

Vocabulary Week 9 and 10 activities (test will be next Friday)

History

Explorer Trading Cards

PBL Board of Exploration Proposal and presentation

Our PBL presentation will take place next Thursday, January 31st at 1pm in the 5th grade classroom. All parents are welcome to join us!! Your child is a part of a European Country’s Leadership team and will be presenting why their country should be named LEADER OF THE SEAS.

All students may dress up in professional attire for this presentation

State Expert Reports due next week (we’ve been working on these all quarter)

OTA Announcements:

This Friday, January 18th is FREE DRESS DAY! The entire school earned a free dress day by bringing in socks for the Sock Drive in December! Yay!

Monday, January 21= NO SCHOOL

Star of India

Please read the informational page regarding our upcoming field trip. Once again, if you would like to chaperone, please email me! This form, along with all permission slips will be coming home on Friday.

This Week in 5th Grade:

Winter MAP testing- It’s that time of year again! We will be completing the Math and Reading MAP test this week.

Math- Adding and Subtracting Fractions and Mixed Numbers!

7-6

7-7

7-8

7-9

IXL

ELA

Reading Part 2 of Don Quixote in a shorten summarized version

Comprehension Check- workbook pages pg. 131-134

Grammar Focus- Nouns (abstract, concrete, proper, common)

Idiom of the Week (this is new!)- Hold your horses and needle in a haystack!

OTA Announcements:

No School on Monday, January 21- Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Star of India Field trip

The famous OTA 5th Grade field trip, The Star of India, is about a month away! Our field trip is on February 6th – 7th. We will be participating in a living history experience and pretending we are sailors aboard an emigrant ship in the 1800s. Our students and chaperones will become part of the story and experience life aboard a ship. This is an overnight field trip! Students will need to be picked up the morning of the 7th.

**The program does not allow any students to come late or leave early. As this will disrupt the narrative/flow of the storyline.**

More information coming!

I am in need of chaperones! If you would like to volunteer on this exciting voyage, please email me ASAP to secure your spot. I have a specific number of chaperones that are allowed to come. So, let me know!

This Week in 5th Grade

Math

We started Topic 7 this week! We will be focusing on FRACTIONS for awhile! 🙂